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Citizen's Police Academy tours Sheriff's Office in second week
Nevada Daily Mail
In our second week of the Nevada Police Department's Citizens Police Academy, we learned about a different entity in Vernon County's law enforcement.
Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher led the session held at the Sheriff's Office Wednesday evening, telling the class about the department and building, which also houses the county jail and the Western Missouri 911 Dispatch Center.
Warning us to speak up if we were claustrophobic, Mosher, who became sheriff in early 2013, led us on a tour of the dispatch center and jail.
Mosher said the jail currently houses more than 80 inmates, but those numbers fluctuate and are expected to rise during the summer months. When there is sufficient space, the Vernon County jail also houses inmates from neighboring counties as a source of revenue for the county.
Mosher showed us the pods the inmates stay in, where their cells are connected to a larger community area with a recreation area nearby. We also saw the kitchen, medical area, holding cells, laundry room and booking area in the jail.
The security of the building was clearly evident, as only special cards could open certain doors and others could only be opened by someone in the dispatch center. We often had to let one heavy door close behind us before the next door could be opened and had to keep an eye out for red, panic buttons by some doors that Mosher warned us would lock down the entire building.
In the dispatch center area is the "brain" of the jail and entire building according to Mosher; officers can track which deputies are where in the building as well as see video of the facility on their monitors. Mosher said ever since the jail has opened, someone has continuously been in that office to ensure the security of the building and to open doors for staff.
Mosher pointed out how each security step is for the safety of the staff and the inmates as well as to keep those inmates secure. He referenced times when fights broke out or riots ensued, when inmates caused damage to their living areas, but the security each time has kept them from causing significant harm.
Dispatch Center Director Tonia Davis explained to us the job of the dispatcher, while she sat in front of several touch-screen monitors, wearing a microphone headset and taking calls while we toured the dispatch center.
Davis said they run the dispatch for the Sheriff's Office, the Nevada police and fire departments and the Vernon County Ambulance District. They will also contact Life Flight for assistance if someone needs to be transported by helicopter elsewhere.
Police Chief Graham Burnley said it is important for the local law enforcement entities to work together to serve the community and that there is a strong relationship between the Sheriff's Office and NPD. When one needs help on a call or in a situation, Burnley said the other will assist.
"We work together very closely," Burnley said, saying he and Mosher sing "the same song" in their dedication to the community.
Next week, we will meet at Marmaduke Park for the third session of the academy, where we will participate in a simulation of a traffic stop as an officer approaching a driver, played by a member of the police department. Burnley cautioned us to wear comfortable shoes, adding participants in past years have said that week is their favorite of the entire course.